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Pernille Yilmam Ph.D.

About

Pernille Yilmam, Ph.D., is a neuroscientist with training from universities including Harvard and Emory University. Originally from Denmark, she moved to the United States at the age of 21 to pursue her education. Yilmam has since led and contributed to groundbreaking research in brain development, sensory challenges, and trauma. Her 15-year personal struggle with body dysmorphia and eating disorders drives her passion for understanding how we perceive our bodies, and how our environment and genetics affect it. In this blog, she explores both the neuroscience and lived experience of body dysmorphia.

As the founder and CEO of Mind Blossom, a nonprofit organization, Yilmam is dedicated to providing free mental health education to underserved communities. Her work and inspiring personal story have been featured in numerous podcasts and news outlets.

Recent Posts
How a Stronger Body Can Transform Your Identity

Strength training does not just give you a stronger body, it can change your identity, which is important when recovering from addiction.

Strength training does not just give you a stronger body, it can change your identity, which is important when recovering from addiction.

The Role of Your Mind and Body in Coping With Trauma

Coping with trauma can be difficult, but it can be trained. Both your mind and body play pivotal roles in this process and can help you develop resilience.

Coping with trauma can be difficult, but it can be trained. Both your mind and body play pivotal roles in this process and can help you develop resilience.

Misperceiving Your Body’s Appearance

Researchers are still debating the true neurobiological nature of BDD. Is it more like OCD, psychosis, or a problem with visual perception?

Researchers are still debating the true neurobiological nature of BDD. Is it more like OCD, psychosis, or a problem with visual perception?

How Chronic Illness Shapes Body Image and Identity

Chronic illness in childhood and adolescence can have long-lasting consequences on body image and identity. Three people share their stories, struggles, and lessons learned.

Chronic illness in childhood and adolescence can have long-lasting consequences on body image and identity. Three people share their stories, struggles, and lessons learned.

Dissociation as Self-Defense in Childhood Sexual Abuse

Childhood sexual abuse triggers dissociation and out-of-body experiences, with long-term consequences for how they relate to their bodies.

Childhood sexual abuse triggers dissociation and out-of-body experiences, with long-term consequences for how they relate to their bodies.

Where Your Mind Meets Your Body

Do you dislike your body? Welcome to the club. How did we get here, what went wrong, and how do we integrate our bodies with our minds?

Do you dislike your body? Welcome to the club. How did we get here, what went wrong, and how do we integrate our bodies with our minds?